Date: 1602

Elizabeth I, Third issue, Copper Penny, dated 1602, mm. Martlet

Description:

Elizabeth I (1558-1603), Third issue, copper Penny, dated 1602. The reason for this coinage was to deny good silver to the rebels in the north of Ireland so they would not have anything with which to buy arms from abroad. The idea was to flood Ireland with base money and get everything else out of circulation.

Weight: 1.68g

References: S 6510a, DF 256

Irregular flan, split in places, good fine (gF) and scarce even in this condition

Obverse:

Arms of England, “E” and “R” to either side

Mintmark: Martlet

Legend:

“ELIZABETH D. G. ANG . FR. ET . HIBERNIE”

Translation:

“Elizabeth by the Grace of God, Queen of England, France and Ireland”

Reverse:

Crowned harp

Mintmark: Martlet

Legend:

“POSVI DEVM ADIVTOREM MEVM”

Translation:

“I have made God my helper”

Notes:

The trefoil mint-mark (which appears on both sides) is a date indicator

These coins occur with 3 mint-marks: the trefoil, the star and the martlet

The ‘trefoil’ was first, and in use from the date of the indenture, 2nd February 1601, until the pyx trial of 20th May 1601

Following the pyx of 20th May 1601, the mint mark was changed to ‘star’

On 24th May 1602 the ‘star’ pieces were pyxed, and the mint mark changed to ‘martlet’